Eng. Championship
2008-08-09 - Cardiff City vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Cardiff City
Last years beaten FA Cup Finalists would be more than willing to give up a cup run this year to focus on making the playoffs at the bare minimum. Last season they were close to achieving this goal, but the run to the Cup Final seemed to hinder their progress somewhat as a backlog of games caught up with them towards the back end of the season.
Cardiff were a solid 12-4-7 at Ninian Park last season, and it was really their form away from home that cost them a place in the playoffs. I am sure Dave Jones will like his team to knock down the amount of defeats they have at home, but they dis win a good percentage. Only 3 other teams in the Championship managed to win more games at home than Cardiff.
Jay Bothroyd was the big signing for Cardiff this Summer while Aaron Ramsey was the high profile departure. However the fans will be very happy to see Joe Ledley still at the club. Tony Capaldi is a doubt for this match on Saturday but Peter Whittingham should have recovered from injury in time.
Southampton
Southampton survived by the skin of their teeth last season and rewarded their inspirational manager Nigel Pearson with the sack and replacing him with Jan Poortvliet. This season could be another one of struggle for the Saints, especially if they get off to a bad start to the campaign.
Southampton had a 4-10-9 away record last season, showing some steel on the road, and it was a favourable record compared to some of the sides around them. However, a big concern for them last season was the fact that they had the joint worst away defence in the league and they really need to work on that aspect.
Southampton have not made a lot of significant moves in the market this Summer and will be fielding 8 players under the age of 23 in their opening match. The Saints are expecting the players to take a 'few months' to get used to the new style of football they will be playing and this could be either a success or a really costly failure.
Head to Head
Cardiff and Southampton have met in league football in each of the last 3 seasons and it is Cardiff who have won all 3 meetings at Ninian Park in that time, including a 1-0 home win last season.
Prediction
Cardiff have high expectations coming into this season and Dave Jones will be hoping his side can continue progressing under his stewardship.
Southampton on the other hand would probably settle for another season of consolidation, preferably without all the nervousness of last season. However, a new manager with new ideas can sometimes take time to implement, especially where a side is not full of confidence and it could take some time before Southampton play to their full potential.
I also feel Cardiff will have the experience and with their good home record against Southampton, I feel they will win this game.
The Pick :
Cardiff City 2-1 Southampton
BEST BETTING TIP :
Cardiff WIN
